RECENT U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PHOTOS

FROM:  U.S. MARINE CORPS 

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Rush, a military working dog, searches for explosives during a patrol near Patrol Base Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachery B. Martin.

A U.S. Marine and his military working dog take a break during a patrol near Patrol Base Boldak in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 30, 2014. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Zachery B. Martin. 

DEPLOYMENT WITH A MILITARY WORKING DOG

Senior Airman Andrew Hanus and Beni look underneath the bumper of a car during a vehicle check at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 2, 2013. The 379th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron military working dog section performs vehicle inspections on every car entering the base. Hanus is a 379th ESFS MWD handler and Beni is a 379th ESFS MWD both deployed from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Bahja J. Jones)

FROM:  U.S. AIR FORCE
K-9 Airmen deploy with 'best friend'
by Senior Airman Bahja J. Jones
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

7/8/2013 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- One of the most difficult parts of a deployment for service members is leaving behind friends and family. Security forces Airmen in the Military Working Dog section, however, have a unique opportunity when they deploy.

"We get to deploy with our best friend," said Senior Airman Andrew Hanus, a 379th Expeditionary Security Forces MWD handler, deployed with his K-9 companion, Beni, from Travis Air Force Base, Calif.

They are one of 13 MWD teams here who support the 379th ESFS mission to maintain security and vigilance throughout the wing and ensure no threats enter the base by searching each vehicle prior to entry. The MWDs also serve as a psychological deterrent and are trained to attack perpetrators on command.

"The job we do is instrumental in keeping the base secure," Hanus said. "A good relationship between a military dog and handler is critical to executing the mission."

Before a deployment, MWD teams are certified and validated by the mission support group commander at their respective home stations.

"We demonstrate our abilities to work together," he said. "Beni showed proficiency in searching for explosive odors, and I showed competency in recognizing his change of behavior and making the final call if he is giving a positive response."

The certification is conducted by the kennel master and the team must demonstrate the canine is obedient and listens to critical commands given by the handler. If those tasks are not demonstrated, they do not certify and training continues.

The MWD teams must also have mutual trust for one another, Hanus said.

"We work our dogs on a 6- to 15-foot leash," he said. "If Beni detects a threat, we could potentially be within feet of an explosive device, right on top of it. I have to be able to trust him to provide an accurate response and that has a lot to do with our relationship."

In addition to the patrol and search responsibilities, the duo trains every day to ensure Beni remains proficient in his duties, which is particularly import because he is new to the Air Force.

"This is not only Beni's first deployment, but I am also his first handler," Hanus said. "I have a very cool opportunity to help him learn and develop his skills as a 'green' dog."

That in itself makes their relationship much stronger, Hanus said.

"Everything I teach him now should stick with him for the rest of his career," he said. "I feel like I am setting him up for success."

The bond and mutual trust between Hanus, Beni and other K-9 teams here is what keeps the base secure, Hanus said.

"Every morning I wake up and know I am going to be working with my closest friend out here," Hanus said. "There is this awesome feeling of accomplishment you get working with a dog. These dogs are smart and the more time you spend with them, the more you begin to realize this. The appreciation we are given out here is tremendous, but the dogs are the ones putting in the real work."

This sentiment of a strong companionship is shared across the K-9 entire community.

"There is a saying in the K-9 world: feelings and emotions run down leash," said Tech. Sgt. Kent Bass, the 379th ESFS kennel master. "If you have a good bond with your MWD they will be happy to work and be loyal to you."

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY

130529-N-GH245-078 CORONADO, Calif. (May 29, 2013) Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Stephanie Alexander plays the role of an aggressor for Dax, a military working dog, who is providing detection and deterrence assistance for Master-at-Arms Seaman Mauricio Rincongonzalez during building clearing drills at Naval Base Coronado. Military working dogs are trained to provide deterrence, patrol and detection services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Pratt/Released

130529-N-GH245-016 CORONADO, Calif. (May 29, 2013) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Brian May is attacked by military working dog Apoch during a controlled aggression demonstration at Naval Base San Diego. Military working dogs are trained to provide deterrence, patrol and detection services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Christopher Pratt/Released/Released).

 

RECENT U.S. NAVY PHOTOS

FROM: U.S. NAVY

130222-N-KL846-028 SAN DIEGO (Feb. 22, 2013) An F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares for takeoff behind the Sea 'N Air golf course at Naval Air Station North Island as golfers in the Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation golf tournament finish up the 17th hole. The tournament is a fundraiser in support of the foundation's mission to provide college scholarships to dependent children and spouses of U.S. Navy service members in the naval aviation community. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Lindahl/Released)

130225-N-GI544-156 SAN DIEGO (Feb. 25, 2013) Military working dog (MWD) Goro, assigned to Commander, Navy Region Southwest, searches for explosives during an explosives detection training exercise. The exercises are conducted to train MWDs in smelling out and locating explosive devices. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Laurie Dexter/Released

2012 PHOTOS FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters fly over Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Dec. 16, 2012. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen. (Released)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Kyle Click and his military working dog Windy, an improvised explosive device detection dog, search the perimeter of the Safar School compound in the Garmsir district of Afghanistan's Helmand province on March 18, 2012. Click and Windy are assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. DoD photo by Cpl. Reece Lodder, U.S. Marine Corps. (Released)